India’s Next Census to Be Conducted in 2027

The Union Home Ministry has formally announced that India’s next Census will be conducted in 2027, marking a significant administrative and technological transition for the country’s decennial population survey. This will be India’s first digital Census, with self-enumeration options for citizens.

• The Census will occur in two distinct phases:
  • House Listing Operations
  • Population Enumeration

Boundary Freeze Comes Into Effect

As per the Gazette notification issued under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, the freezing of administrative boundaries has come into immediate effect. This means:

• No changes can be made by States to boundaries of districts, tehsils, police stations, or administrative blocks.
• The freeze will remain in place until the Census process is completed.
• This is essential because enumeration blocks are geographically defined and form the core basis of the Census exercise.

Digital Census and Self-Enumeration

The 2027 Census will introduce digital data collection for the first time:

• Data will be gathered using mobile applications.
• Citizens will have the option for self-enumeration.
• The Ministry has assured stringent data security during collection, transmission, and storage of data.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

Constitutional Basis

• The Census is a subject under the Union List of the Constitution, as specified in Entry 69 of the Seventh Schedule.
• Article 246 of the Constitution grants exclusive legislative power to the Parliament on subjects in the Union List, making census operations a Central Government responsibility.

Legal Framework: Census Act, 1948

• The Census Act, 1948 governs the conduct of the census in India.
• It authorizes the appointment of a Census Commissioner and defines the procedures for data collection, tabulation, and publication.
• The Act provides the legal backing for periodic population enumeration and related processes.